“Very excited.”
About every freshman football player agrees with Christian Haltinner that this was their initial thought about playing as one team in high school unlike being divided into three teams in Milford’s Mustang football program.
“I think playing as one team has made us a stronger team,” said starting Quarterback Joe Bravo.
Usually, it takes a while for a new team to become acclimated to playing with each other, especially when you have three former teams bonding together. Though some of the varsity and JV teams have been successful, no Milford freshman football team has had a winning record in 18 years. The transition can create some hot blood between teammates who each before, were starters on their different Mustang teams. This team though, never had a problem with that.
“No not really,” answered 1st year player Ben Goedert, “we were united as one from the beginning. We stick together and we got each other’s back.”
Many other players agreed with Goedert’s view and some believe that the only separation in the beginning was caused from minor things.
“There was only division in the beginning because, I think, it was from not knowing each other,” starting Cornerback Dominic Dawson added, “It’s been great to play with each other.”
The team practiced with each other for the majority of the summer, participating in platoons, camps, and study sessions to not only learn about the next level of football, but also help grow relationships between new teammates. These freshman teammates has enjoyed playing together and participating in chants and phrases together such as their fun saying; “ooo kill-em,” most of them led by Michael Bartoluzzi. A lot of the players suggested that they like it better without the division of the three teams and support the “more family feel.” They also recognize that combining the Mustang teams will eventually make them better. Many have even deemed this team, to be the first to have a winning season in 18 years for a freshman team. At 3-4 the team still keeps those expectations.
“I did have high expectations,” said Bravo, “I just really want us to be the freshman team to have a winning season for the first time in a while, play the best we can, and have a fun year.”
On a 1 game win streak, these freshmen believe they can keep winning.
“I predict no more losses, but there are some good teams out there,” responded Ben Goedert.
Some players though had much higher expectations, such as Andrew Ritchie who said he had predicted an undefeated season before the season had started.The team has a good-looking future. This season they have already played three tough teams in Brighton, Hartland, and Howell. Though they are 3-4, they are keeping hopes alive of accomplishing a winning season by winning the last 2 games. But more importantly to some players, the future of their JV and Varsity careers also looks good.
“Yea it does,” replied Ritchie, when asked if it excites him that next year the team will have a year of experience of playing with each other, “because freshmen and JV football are to make you better for the bigger stage of varsity football.”
Joe Bravo agreed, saying; “Next year I hope will be better because we all know what we need to improve on, over the off-season, so I hope people take advantage of that.”
Bravo said, “I’m also excited because the coaches have seen what the players can do. Hopefully, people will be willing to play where they will help out most.”
Many people are just as excited to watch them play, as the team is to play with each other, and listen to Michael Bartoluzzi lead the team in their saying, “ooo kill-em.
